‘Player’s current performance must be given importance in team selection’: Soumyadeep Roy

Ayhika was the nucleus of the Indian women's team's outstanding show that ensured the team's berth in the forthcoming Paris Olympics.

Soumyadeep Roy is upset with Ayhika Mukherjee’s exclusion from the national women’s team, announced for the Paris Olympics. 

Ranked number two in singles in the domestic rankings, Ayhika has been delivering brilliant performance at the international level over the last few months, since the Hangzhou Asian Games where she acquired a historic bronze medal partnering with Sutirtha Mukherjee. 

Then in February, in the team World championships Ayhika was the nucleus of the Indian women's team's outstanding show that ensured the team's berth in the forthcoming Paris Olympics, defeating the higher-ranked paddlers including the stunning victory over Sun Yingsha.

Soumyadeep, the former national champion, former national coach, and presently the coach of Ayhika Mukherjee for the last one-and-half years, reacting to the issue explained, “This is injustice. I am shocked. How has the girl been kept in reserve whose outstanding show helped Indian women to ensure the desired berth in the Olympics? The selection criteria must have the priority of the player’s current performance.”

Ayhika when contacted however refused to make any comment on the issue.

Her present coach added, "TTFI should follow the BCCI where the cricketers' current performance in the IPL is counted by the selectors. Players' ranking basically covers the last year. Due to the rejection of visas, Ayhika could not take part in four international competitions. If she had taken part in the tournaments then the World ranking would have improved more.” 

He added, "You performed six or eight months ago and I have been performing now. So who deserves the place in the team? More importantly, the event is the Olympics. How can you deny Ayhika’s current performance, since the Hangzhou Asian Games till the team's World Championship? TTFI should change its policy while selecting the national team before any crucial event.” 

Archana Kamath whose World ranking is 103 has replaced Ayhika whose current World ranking is 133. 

6 Comments

Ravindra Pai
Ravindra Pai
May 19, 2024 | 7:19 AM

Coaches like Roy and S. Raman have a serious problem. When their wards are not selected , they start bringing in subjective issues into play. It was well known that World Ranking was the criteria and the teams have been selected on that basis. TT has limited seats. Someone or the other is going to get the heartburn. Comparing it with cricket is a loser's argument.

Ashim Kumar Das
Ashim Kumar Das
May 19, 2024 | 1:00 AM

TTFI General Secretary Mr Kamalesh Mehta is a office bearer no doubt , but in my opinion he is a shoe bearer of the Bad National TT Politicians.So this is the outcome of the bad politics.He proves himself a good for nothing fellow.

Ajay Datta
Ajay Datta
May 18, 2024 | 10:13 PM

Back door policy is always alive since long back.

Ajay Datta
Ajay Datta
May 18, 2024 | 10:13 PM

Back door policy is always alive since long back.

Ajay Datta
Ajay Datta
May 18, 2024 | 10:10 PM

Back door policy is always alive since long back.

Prasanta sen
Prasanta sen
May 18, 2024 | 6:28 PM

I know that ttfi officials (few officials) back door policy is still now alive. I hope Ayhika will prove the best performance in the world again, again & .several times. I wish her all the best.

Leave A Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked.